The Crafty oINK Pen: New Year's Eve

Welcome to this month's Stampin' Creative Blog Hop and being on the build up to the Festive Celebrations, we thought we'd theme this month's Hop … Festive Frenzy.

You may have just hopped over from the lovely Kim, where you'll have been spoilt to an undeniable Festive Frenzy, yes, the big fella himself … well, whether you have hopped over from Kim or have joined the hop here, welcome and enjoy the rest of the hop.

We don't really celebrate the start of a New Year in this house, although this year, we may well be having some dear, close friends round for a quiet meal … which had me thinking ...

… create a little table setting for a New Year's Eve meal.

I had seen the Square Pillow Box used to hold cutlery before, so decided to come up with my own embellished version, accompanied by a coordinating cracker and Chocolate table favour.

Firstly I cut the Pillow Box from Smoky Slate Card Stock and cut off the end flaps to one side, before Embossing it using the elegant Softly Falling Textured Embossing Folder. I love both of these products.

I then wrapped the box with the gorgeously soft Silver Satin Ribbon. Stars just seemed so fitting and besides, we have some beautiful silver star charger plates that sparked my inspiration, so I die cut some Stars from some Filter Paper, before creating this beautiful ruffled star flower.

I decided to wrap some silver metallic thread around the flower that I attached tiny stars to, made using the Confetti Star Punch and some Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper. I made the little coordinating mock cracker with a centre of filter paper to hold in the surprise gift.

I'm not sure if you can actually see here, but the tiny stars are literally suspended on the thread and not sticking the thread to the cardstock, as perhaps a little clearer on the chocolate below.

It didn't seem right to leave it at just the cutlery holder and the cracker … a chocolate seemed only right and fitting to add to the table.

I just love how the little chocolate turned out … so much so, that I'd actually find it hard to unwrap it to eat … now THAT my friends, is the flaw in this design.

Sadly the Square Pillow Box Die is on the Retirement list of the current Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue, so if you are wanting to recreate some Cutler Holders like this of your own, then you'll need to act quickly to avoid disappointment.

I hope you liked the creations I have shared with you this month and I hope when your New Year's Eve Celebrations come, that they are greeted with a healthy and prosperous year ahead …

… but for now, hop on over to see what gorgeous work the lovely Louise has in store for you. She never ceases to delight.